• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.220-223
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• 1993

Administration of local anesthetics or morphine through epidural space has the effect of curbing postoperative increases in endocrine hormone. Other benefits include improving metabolic reaction and eliminating postoperative pain. However, repeated administration of local anesthetics through epidural space causes tachyphylaxis, and the unstable blockade of sensory nerve resulting in insufficient analgesia. Morphine has excellent postoperative analgesic effect, but complications including: itching, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention and respiratory depression may be associated with its administration. Sixty patients that fall into the category of ASA class I and II were randomly selected for the purpose of the experiment. Thirty patients were give 4 mg of morphine and the rest, 4 mg of morphine plus 80 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine administered through epidural space with the Baxter infuser. Analgesic effect was satisfactory in both groups. On the day of operation, the effect was stronger in group I (P<0.05) and on postoperative second day, group II showed better analgesic effect (P < 0.05). Group II had more patients who complained of itching (P < 0.05). Other complications were statistically insignificant. The findings indicate that administration of morphine through epidural space for postoperative pain management is an effective procedure. Baxter infuser was found to be very instrumental in pain control while reducing the chance of complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.241-246
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• 1998

Background: Opioids and local anesthetics have been administered epidurally for the purpose of the postoperative analgesia. However opioids have a serious risk of respiratory depression and local anesthetics have the risks of hypotension, sensory block, or motor one. In recent years, reports of spinal administration of midazolam for acute postoperative pain control have appeared in the literature. This study was performed to observe the effect of epidural midazolam in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Methods: Forty-five patients scheduled for the elective total hysterectomy were randomly selected; epidurally take morphine only (group I, n=15), morphine plus 0.1% bupivacaine (group II, n=15), or morphine plus midazolam (group III, n=15). The visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and with movement, the sedation score, the degree of the satisfaction, the total amounts of a morphine usage, and the incidence of the side effects were observed. Rusults: The VAS at rest of group II and III were decreased significantly than that of group I. The VAS with movement of group III was significantly decreased than that of group I and II. The sadation score and the cumulative dose of a morphine were statistically insignificant within groups. Conclusion: Epidural morphine plus midazolam was proven to be clinically effective in the post-operative pain control especially for the pain with movement, compared with epidural morphine only and morphine plus 0.1% bupivacaine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.214-217
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• 2001

Background: Intra-articular injection is a commonly performed procedure in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee. Several drugs are used for relief of pain in such cases. Local anesthetics, clonidine and steroids have been confirmed to be effective when used in an intra-articular injection. Ketorolac has recently become one of the most commonly used and potent NSAIDs. There have been many studies about the effect of ketorolac. Methods: Sixty-four patients were divided into 2 groups. In Group I (n = 31), 0.5% bupivacaine 3 ml and sodium hyaluronate 20 mg were used and in Group II (n = 33), 0.5% bupivacaine 3 ml, sodium hyaluronate 20 mg and ketorolac 5 mg were used. We observed the pain relief scale (PRS) at 15 minutes, 1 week and 1-3 months after injection. Results: After 15 minutes, PRS scores were $6.6{\pm}2.7$ (Group I) and $5.1{\pm}3.1$ (Group II), so there was a statistical difference between the two groups. After 1 week, the PRS scores were $5.9{\pm}2.0$ (Group I) and $5.8{\pm}2.4$ (Group II). At 1-3 months later, PRS scores were $5.6{\pm}3.0$ (Group I) and $5.1{\pm}2.7$ (Group II). Thus, there were no significant statistical differences between the two groups at 1 week or 1-3 months later, although some patients were more satisfied with pain relief in Group II at 1-3 months. Conclusions: Ketorolac provides more rapid pain relief of degenerative arthritis when used in intra-articular injection. And there was no statistical difference of effect after 1 week or 1-3 months later. Further studies are required on the effect of the intra-articular use of ketorolac.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.190-197
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• 2010

Background: Conventional spinal saddle block is performed with the patient in a sitting position, keeping the patient sitting for between 3 to 10 min after injection of a drug. This amount of time, however, is long enough to cause prolonged postoperative urinary retention. The trend in this block is to lower the dose of local anesthetics, providing a selective segmental block; however, an optimal dose and method are needed for adequate anesthesia in variable situations. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the question of whether only 1 min of sitting after drug injection would be sufficient and safe for minor anorectal surgery. Methods: Two hundred and sixteen patients undergoing minor anorectal surgery under spinal anesthesia remained sitting for 1 min after completion of subarachnoid administration of 1 ml of a 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine solution (5 mg). They were then placed in the jack-knife position. After surgery, analgesia levels were assessed using loss of cold sensation in the supine position. The next day, urination and 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) for postoperative pain were assessed. Results: None of the patients required additional analgesics during surgical manipulation. Postoperative sensory levels were T10 [T8-T12] in patients, and no significant differences were observed between sex (P = 0.857), height (P = 0.065), obesity (P = 0.873), or age (P = 0.138). Urinary retention developed in only 7 patients (3.2%). In this group, NRS was $5.0{\pm}2.4$ (P = 0.014). Conclusions: The one-minute sitting position for spinal saddle block before the jack-knife position is a safe method for use with minor anorectal surgery and can reduce development of postoperative urinary retention.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.135-139
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• 1996

Intercostal nerve blockade with local anesthetics has been used extensively in the past to provide pain relief following thoracotomy. Its popularity fell, for a period, probably due to increasing use of epidural analgesia. More recently, interest has focused on intercostal nerve block with the introduction of variously sited catheters. Two epidural catheters were placed under direct vision, in the intercostal spaces just above and below the wound by feeding the catheters posteriorly from the wound edges, superficial to the parietal pleura. Bupivacaine 0.25%. Was infused continuously at a rate of 5 ml/hour through each of the two intercostal catheters. Each catheter was primed with 10 ml/hour through each of the two intercostal catheters. Each catheter was primed with 10 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. Postoperative vital signs resembled preoperation data. Arterial carbon dioxide pressure ($PaCO_2$) was unchanged and arterial oxygen pressure ($PaO_2$) was increased during two days after surgery because oxygen was administered at 21/min. Forced vital capacities (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$) were decreased the day of operation but restored to preoperative value from second operation day. VAS were increased on operation day but decreased from second operation day. Motion range of arms were not impaired. We concluded that continuous intercostal nerve block through catheters placed during thoracotomy in the adjacent intercostal spaces is a simple and effective method for management of the post-thoracotomy pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2022

Background: To compare ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the genicular nerve with the genicular nerve block using local anesthetic and steroid for management of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. Methods: Thirty patients with OA knee were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided PRF of the genicular nerve (PRF group) or nerve block with bupivacaine and methylprednisolone acetate (local anesthetic steroid [LAS] group). Verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS) and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were measured at pre-procedure and 1-, 4-, and 12-weeks post-procedure. Results: VNRS scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in both the groups at 12 weeks and other follow up times compared to baseline. Seventy-three percent of patients in the PRF group and 66% in the LAS group achieved effective pain relief (≥ 50% pain reduction) at 12 weeks (P > 0.999). There was also a statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement in WOMAC scores in both groups at all follow up times. However, there was no intergroup difference in VNRS (P = 0.893) and WOMAC scores (P = 0.983). No complications were reported. Conclusions: Both ultrasound-guided PRF of the genicular nerve and blocks of genicular nerve with local anesthetic and a steroid provided comparable pain relief without any complications. However, PRF of the genicular nerve is a procedure that takes much more time and equipment than the genicular nerve block.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.66-71
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• 1989

It has been standard practice in many institutions to use a combination of a light general anesthesia and an epidural block for lower abdominal and pelvic surgery. This combination of a balanced anesthesia can provide various benefits to the patient such as less bleeding in the surgical field, the use of a lower concentration of general anesthetics, less muscle relaxant, and post operative pain management. However, there are several problems associated with hemodynamics such as bradycardia and hypotension etc. In order to block the pain of the high surgical area with a lumbar epidural puncture postoperatively, a large volume of local anesthetic is required and consequently an extensive blockade of sympathetic, sensory and motor functions can occur causing motor weakness, numbness and postural hypotension. Therefore, the patient is unable to have early ambulation postoperatively. In this study, thoracic epidural catheterization was undertaken to locate the tip of the catheter exactly at the surgical level for upper abdominal surgery, and was followed by general anesthesia. Twenty-one patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery were selected. Fifteen of them had hepatobiliary operations and the remaining 6 had gastrectomies. Thoracic epidural punctures were performed mostly at T9-T10 (57.1%) and T8-T9. Neuromuscular blocking agents were not used in half of the cases and the, mean doses of relaxant were $3.5{\pm}1.0mg$ in gastrectomies, and $2.7{\pm}0.9mg$ in cases of hepatobiliary operation. Epidural morphine was injected 1 hour before the end of the operation for postoperative pain control. Eight patients did not require additional analgesics and the mean dose of epidural morphine was $2.2{\pm}0.9mg$, and 13 cases were given 0.125% epidural bupivacaine when patients complained of pain. Their initial doses of epidural morphine were $1.9{\pm}0.4mg$ and the mean duration of bupivacaine was 6 hours 20 minutes${\pm}40$ minutes. In conclusion. thoracic epidural analgesia is valuable to reduce postoperative pain in patients with upper abdominal surgery, However, it is not easy to maintain this balanced anesthesia with high epidural analgesia-and light general anesthesia for upper abdominal surgery because of marked hemodynamic changes. Therefore, further practice will be required.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 1997

Background : Epidural morphine provides excellent postoperative analgesia but is often associated with side effects such as nausea, vomiting and pruritus. It has been reported that mixed agonist-antagonist, nalbuphine can reverse side effects of epidural morphine without compromising analgesia. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of each intravenous dose of nalbuphine for treatment of side effects following epidural morphine. Methods : All patients received continuous infusion(2 ml/hr) of epidural morphine-local anesthetics mixture(morphine 4 mg, 1% mepivacaine 50 ml and 0.25% bupivacaine 50 ml) following a loading dose (morphine 2 mg with 1% mepivacaine 7 ml). Patients requesting treatment for nausea, vomiting and pruritus randomly received intravenous nalbuphine 0.05 mg/kg(Group 1; n=20), 0.1 mg/kg(Group 2; n=20) or 0.15 mg/kg(Group 3; n=20). The severity of nausea, vomiting, pruritus, degree of pain, sedation and vital sign were assessed prior to and 30 min after each dose. Results : The severity of nausea, vomiting and pruritus decreased significantly in all groups(p<0.01). Pain and sedation scores were unchanged in all groups. One patient received nalbuphine 0.15 mg/kg, complained of dizziness, agitation and palpitation. His blood pressure who had increased to 170/100 after first dose. Conclusions : This study suggests that intravenous nalbuphine is good for treatment of side effects following epidural morphine, and the dose of Group 1, 0.05 mg/kg, may be recommended as an optimal dose.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.47-53
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• 1998

Background: Epidural coadministration of opioids and local anesthetics has provided excellent analgesia during postoperative period. However, it is usually associated with the occurance of many side effects which were induced by epidural morphine. Low dose of intravenous naloxone has been known to reduce morphine-induced side effects without reversing analgesia, but the effect of epidural naloxone has not been defined in human study. Therefore we evaluated side effects and analgesia when naloxone was administered via epidural route. Methods: Eighty patients having epiduro-general anesthesia for hysterectomy were randomly assigned to one of four study groups. As a mean of postoperative pain control, all received 2 mg of epidural morphine bolusly at 1 hr before the end of surgery and continuous epidural infusion was started by Two-day Infusor containing morphine 4 mg in 0.125% bupivacaine 100 ml with either none of naloxone(Group 1, n=20), 2 ug/kg/day of naloxone(Group 2, n=20), 3 ug/kg/day of naloxone(Group 3, n=20) or 4 ug/kg/day of naloxone(Group 4, n=20). Study endpoints included visual analog scales(VAS) for pain, severity of nausea, itching, somnolence and respiratory depression. They were assessed at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 48 hr postoperatively. Results: VAS for pain showed significant difference in Group 4 compared with Group 1 at all of the evaluation time. Itching score decreased significantly in Group 3 and 4 after 8 hr postoperatively and nausea score decreased significantly in Group 3 after 4 hr postoperatively. Alertness score decreased significantly in Group 3 and 4 especially in early postoperative period. Conclusion: This study suggests that epidural naloxone reduce morphine-induced side effects in dose-dependent fashion without reversal of the analgesic effect of epidural morphine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.214-219
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• 1997

Background: Epidural neural blockade with local anesthetics combined with steroids has been in clinical trials for patients with low back pain. But pain treatment of low back pain remains somewhat problematic. Many patients with low back pain have epidural fibrosis and adhesions proved with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) examination. These findings might play an important role in the origin of back pain. Present study was aims to investigate the effect of epidural adhesiolysis in patients with low back pain. Methods: We investigated 76 patients suspected with epidural fibrosis and adhesion was suspected. Nerve pathology was demonstrated and epidural fibrosis suspected or proved with MRI examination. 17G needle specially designed by Racz was inserted at sacral hiatus and catheter was inserted untill its tip was located at lesion site under fluoroscopic guidance. Injection of contrast dye was achieved and prospected spread of agents. Injection of 0.25% bupivacaine, triamcinolone, and 10% hypertonic saline via catheter were carried out daily for 3 days. Evaluation included assessment of pain relief (Numerical Rating Scale; NRS) post-epidural adhesiolysis 3 days, 1 week, and 3 months. We also looked for complication of epidural adhesiolysis. Results: Statistical analysis(Friedman nonparametric repeated measures test and Dune's multiple comparison test) demonstrated NRS was significantly less during 3 months after epidural adhesiolysis(P<0.05). Especially, there is a extremely significance in post-epidural adhesiolysis 3 days (P<0.001). Only four patients reported any complications the most common symptom among three persistent headache but disappeared after a few months without residual sequelae. Conclusion: We conclude epidural adhesiolysis is a safe and effective method of pain therapy for low back pain with proven lumbo-sacral fibrosis and adhesion. A direct visualization by epiduroscopy may be more useful to the resulting functional changes after epidural adhesiolysis.